Highs and Lows

We have been enjoying having Hugh home more with us this month. This is one of those rare months where he has a lighter number of shifts to work. We've been taking the kids to the zoo, and the lake. We've been playing and finger painting in the back yard, while Hugh cooks out on the grill. And we've been taking rides together every night. We all enjoy taking rides out in the country together. It's very relaxing.

Last night we took the kids to feed the geese and sea gulls out at the lake after dinner. Trey and Anna Grace were so cute trying to get the birds to eat. They kept chasing them with their bread, as the birds scattered in all different directions. We also walked down to the dock and looked at all the boats. Trey really likes the sail boats.


Anna Grace is all about dancing a twirling lately. She was walking along the cement partitions in the parking lot last night. Hugh and I were amazed at her balance. She only turned two in June. But, she was balancing perfectly as she walked along with her hands in the air on both sides of her like she was on a balance beam. Then she would get down every so often and twirl around hands in the air. "I think we may a little ballerina on our hands, or a future gymnast," Hugh said.


On the way home, we were listening to a CD of bagpipes. The last song on the CD is Amazing Grace. Trey started singing along. It was so precious! Hugh and I just looked at each other, and it was just one of those moments when there are no words. Of course, I teared up. It was just so sweet, I couldn't help myself.


When we got home and got the babies ready for bed, I asked Hugh to take a look at a little spot on Anna Grace's tongue that I noticed while brushing her teeth. I thought maybe I had brushed a little too hard or maybe she had bitten her tongue. But, I could immediately see the worry on his face. I asked him what he was thinking. He said it may be nothing, but he wanted to get it looked at first thing in the morning. Well, that scared me. Hugh has always said he's not going to be his children's doctor, and this was case in point. He said it could be something called geographic tongue, but, it could also be (God forbid) something worse. So, we weren't going to take any chances. If we couldn't get into see our pediatrician, we were going to an ear, nose and throat specialist, and have it biopsied, if necessary. I knew he was serious. I could see it all over his face, and it scared me to death. I cried and we prayed, and tried to stay as calm as possible.

I was so relieved that we were able to get right in to see the pediatrician this morning, and everything is fine. The doctor said it was benign. , Praise the Lord, Praise The Lord! I seriously almost threw up. Uhh! Thank you Jesus! I am so happy, and so relieved, and so grateful. You can't even begin to imagine!

I felt better as soon as Hugh and I prayed last night, but, it is so good to have that reassurance! And I have such a wonderful husband. I know I keep saying that, but, it is so true. He is so thoughtful. Last night after I had gone to bed, he came and woke me up and asked me to come and see something. We went outside, and he set up a pallet of quilts in our front yard, and we watched a meteor shower. It was so sweet and romantic. I told him it was the best date we'd ever had, and we didn't have to go anywhere or spend any money. We laid there listening to the crickets chirp, as we watched the falling stars. It was breath taking. I couldn't believe that he had thought for us to do this together, when earlier we both were so tense, holding our breath as we prayed for God to place His healing hand on our baby girl. This moment together was so calming and peaceful, and really helped me to feel secure. I sat there just talking to God in my head as I looked at the stars. I was telling Him that this moment was just an example of why I love my life so much, and why I treasure my little family. And I prayed please, please Lord don't let anything happen to this family. Please protect us and keep us safe, because I don't know what I'd do without them. And although I didn't receive a neon sign from heaven saying everything was going to be OK, I was at peace and able to enjoy that moment with Hugh. And I knew somehow that everything was going to be alright.

So, remember to hug and kiss your family today, and thank our great and mighty God for the beautiful blessings that they are in your life. Because every moment is precious.

"Peace is Not the absence of trouble, it is the presence of God."